By Olanrewaju Akojede

The Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Saturday deployed mobile ambulances and health officials to offer free medical check-ups to voters, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officers, and other officials present at polling centres.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vehicles were seen roving through the communities within the Onigbongbo LCDA namely, Opebi, Allen, Maryland, Onigbongbo, Ikeja GRA, Olusosun among others.

Health officials, stationed in Onigbongbo LCDA ambulances, provided free blood pressure (BP) tests, blood sugar level checks, and other vital sign assessments.

Mrs Oluyinka, one of the officials, informed NAN that the team had been on patrol since early morning, conducting various health screenings for consenting voters and electoral officers.

“We have been going round the Onigbongbo LCDA since 8.00 a.m. offering free medical check-ups and also offering advice to those who have one problem.

“People are excited to see us, which made the work tasking especially having to deal with large numbers in some poling units.

“Our task is to check everyone irrespective of their party affiliations; we are not for political reasons, rather for the health benefits to be enjoyed by the people in the communities.

“We have some other places to visit and we will also be on the standby to offer free check-ups to everyone in the communities,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Moyo Adesina, commended the LCDA administration for the good initiative.

“This is a good initiative from the LCDA and they should be commended for it; this will surely endear the heart of many to the party.

“The election conduct has been peaceful here and we are happy with the turnout and the encouragement from the LCDA,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Saturday voted at Polling Unit 002, Ward A4, in the Oke Balogun area of Epe.

Speaking to journalists, Hamzat described the election’s conduct as peaceful and encouraging.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LASIEC officials arrived with voting materials at 10:18 a.m.

Accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at 11:20 a.m.

Hamzat expressed optimism about the election’s outcome, saying he expected his party to win by a large margin.

In spite of the delay, he expressed satisfaction with the process and encouraged voters to participate.

“Voting has started and we just hope it continues smoothly. People are still voting, so I am encouraged.

“So far, so good. It’s early to assess turnout, but it’s been impressive and encouraging,” he said.

The deputy governor attributed the delay to logistical challenges faced by LASIEC.

He noted that with around 800 polling units in Epe, the officials had much ground to cover.

“Election is about logistics, and people should understand that.

“They must ensure everything is in place and organised properly,” he said.

Hamzat urged voters to remain orderly and cooperate with LASIEC officials for a peaceful, violence-free process.

NAN also reports that security personnel were stationed at the polling units to maintain peace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Olaitan Idris

The member representing Surulere 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot, says the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains a proof of civic responsibility, rather than a measure of party loyalty.

Elliot said this shortly after casting his vote at Onitolo Nursery/Primary School, Unit 009, in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government is conducting elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions across all 20 local government areas and 37 local development council areas.

“PVC does not mean voting for my party. It means exercising your civic responsibility,” he said.

According to him, it’s unfair for individuals to seek government support without contributing to the democratic process through voting.

“You can’t sit at home and later come to seek help from people who others sacrificed to vote into power,” he said.

Elliot described the turnout of the election as slightly low but expressed optimism that more voters would show up as the day progressed.

The lawmaker noted that local government elections should attract more participation than presidential polls due to their direct impact on daily life.

“Development begins at the grassroots level. With powers and revenue now devolved to local governments, this election holds significant importance.

“The outcome of this election will have a direct impact on the lives of citizens, making it crucial for voters to exercise their franchise wisely and elect leaders who will prioritise their needs and drive development in their areas,” he said.

He advocated increased public discussion about the responsibilities of local governments, highlighting their critical role in primary healthcare, market management, and maintenance of inner roads.

The lawmaker commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the orderly conduct of the election. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Aderonke Ojediran

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu voted at exactly 11:09 a.m. on Saturday at Polling Unit 006, Saint Stephens Nursery and Primary School, Lagos Island Local Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC officials arrived at Ward E3, Polling Unit 006, at approximately 7:30 a.m. for the Lagos State Council Polls.

The governor, accompanied by his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, acknowledged some earlier logistics issues in certain areas, which he said had been resolved.

“Everything is okay here,” he said. “Although the unit is heavily populated, voting is progressing well, and the officers are present. I’ve voted successfully.

“Party agents are here, and it’s extremely peaceful. I’ve seen some logistics issues on TV, but I believe they’ve now been resolved,” the governor said.

He noted that some officers experienced delays reaching their polling units but expressed gratitude for the calm and favourable weather.

“I commend LASIEC. This election is very important, and I believe results will be compiled later in the day,” he said.

The governor stressed the importance of local government as a vital tier for grassroots development and public service delivery.

“It is vital; people realise this is the closest government to them. I’ve fulfilled my civic responsibility,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He urged Lagos residents to come out and vote, describing the process as peaceful and encouraging wider participation.

“I know there were some initial logistics hiccups at certain polling units, but I understand those have now been addressed.

“Let’s continue to come out in large numbers and vote,” the governor appealed.

NAN reports that LASIEC is conducting elections into 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Reporters

Voting materials and electoral officers arrived late at many polling units in Lagos during Saturday’s local government elections in the state.

The chairmanship and councillorship elections were billed to start at 8.00 a.m. across all the polling units.

However, the elections did not start at 8.00 a.m. in most polling units monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Electoral officers and voting materials began to arrive at many polling units after 8.30 a.m.

There were no signs of voting materials or arrival of electoral officers at Polling Units 030, 031, and 029 located at Unity Nursery and Primary School, Hostel Bus Stop, beside a Mobil filling station in the Egbe-Agodo area, as at 8.00 a.m.

Only an agent of the All Progressives Congress was seen waiting at one of the polling units.

Some voters, who came out early, left after observing no signs of commencement of elections.

At Polling Units 014 on Authority Avenue, 012 and 049, all located at Egbe-Agodo, the situation was the same.

Late arrival of electoral officers was also witnessed at the seven polling units at Agege.

Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had announced that electoral materials and officers would be expected to arrive at polling units by 7.00 a.m.

A Presiding Officer at Agege, Mrs Abiola Choice, attributed her late arrival to her polling unit to late distribution of election materials.

She said: “Even after we got the materials from the registration area centre, there was no vehicle to convey us to polling units.”

Mr Cornelius Stephen, a 90-year-old voter, who spoke with NAN in Agege, expressed disappointment that the electoral officers did not keep to time.

“You can see that it is already 8.00 a.m., yet only security personnel are present here at Agege Primary School, Ward 3,” he said.

At Epe, Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin, a heavy downpour in the early hours delayed arrival of electoral officers and materials.

It also made many voters not to come out early.

The rain began at about 5.35 a.m.

Mr Deji Agunrege, a resident of Epe, told NAN that the rain might discourage especially the elderly and voters from distant places from coming out to vote.

At 8.48 a.m., electoral officers had yet to arrive at Polling Unit 021 located at Ohafia Junction, Ago Palace Way, Okota in Oshodi/Isolo Local Council Development Area.

Some residents were seen jogging and conversing in groups, while tricycle riders continued to ply the roads.

At Badagry, late arrival of electoral officers and election materials also characterised the elections at many polling units.

As of 8.48 a.m., electoral officials had yet to arrive at Polling Unit 020 located at Mowo Town Hall.

Festac Town in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area also recorded late arrival of electoral officers and elections materials.

The officers and materials had not arrived at polling units in Wards B2, C, K as at 9.15 a.m.

Pastor Emmanuel Okigwe, Secretary of the Labour Party at Ward C, told NAN that he was worried at the lateness.

“We are witnessing a lot of irregularities. Our party was unable to inspect the materials.

“Even at midnight, they still had not brought them,” he alleged.

A septuagenarian, Mr Akindare Adetifa, also expressed disappointment at the late arrival of electoral officers.

He said that, in the past, elections always started early.

Electoral officers and materials were ready at some Egbe/Idimu area as at 9.00 a.m. but there were no voters.

Some of the polling units monitored by NAN are 042 at Modupe Shitta, 04 at Yusuf Olatunji, 05 at Olojo/Holmes, 027 at Banjo, and 016 on Lamina Street, all under Egbe/Idimu Ward 5.

A mix-up in addresses of some polling units caused a delay in commencement of voting at Egbe-Agodo.

At Polling Unit 051, Oguntoyibo, an electoral officer, who did not want to be named, told NAN that his team was unable to set up voting booths because its address was incorrect.

“We are not in the right location. The address we were given belongs to another polling unit, so we couldn’t set up as expected.

“We have called our supervisor. He is coming possibly with a bus to take us to our polling unit,” he said at about 9.00 a.m.

In many other areas, voting also started at 9.00 a.m.

In Polling Units 040, 042 at Palace Way and Polling 030, 031 and 029 at Unity Nursery and Primary School, as well as Polling Units 018, 019, and 027 located at Muslim College, all in Agodo Egbe, started voting around 9.00 a.m.

Voters were seen coming one after the other to cast their votes. After voting, most of them left.

On Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, voters waited for election materials and electoral officers in many polling units monitored by NAN.

As at 9.25 a.m., voters were still gathered at various polling units awaiting the arrival of the officers and materials.

Accreditation and voting eventually started at 8.50 a.m. and 9.10 a.m. in some locations.

Notably, polling units 002, 005, and 007 in Ward E, as well as units 011, 015 and 004 in Ward C, experienced significant delays.

Wards F, G, and A also witnessed delayed material distribution.

They also recorded low voter turnout as at the time of filing the report.

On the other hand, there was a strong turnout at units 008 and 009 in Ward D as well as in Wards B and I.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Olayiwola Sholagbade, a voter at Ward D, Unit 009, said: “We are still hopeful.

“Many are indoors watching as events unfold on television and radio.”

In Ikorodu, Mrs Folashade -Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Area, praised voters for peaceful conduct.

Olabanji-Oba, also Chairman, Association of Vice Chairmen of Nigeria, voted at Polling Unit 01 at Isele.

She urged eligible voters to come out en masse and vote.

At Polling Unit 119 at Mile 12, voting started at 8.10 a.m. while the exercise started at Polling Unit 115 at 8.25 a.m.

Voting began at Polling Unit 030 also at Mile 12 at 8.40 a.m. and took off at polling Unit 050 also at 8.51 a.m.

At Polling Unit 004, Opposite Adamson House, Ojogbe, electoral officers began arranging for voting material at 8:58 a.m. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

REPORTERS/EDITORS/IGO

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Nigeria has called for credible electoral processes at the local government level to enable the election of competent representatives capable of addressing grassroots needs.

The Resident Representative of KAS Nigeria, Ms Marija Peran, made the call at a one-day dialogue in Abuja.

The dialogue, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with KAS, had the theme: “Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria: Effects of Corruption and Inefficiency on Good Governance”.

Peran, represented by the KAS Programme Manager, Mr Samson Adeniran, identified corruption and inefficiency as major obstacles to effective local governance.

She said addressing these issues required not only institutional reforms but also a collective commitment to integrity and accountability at all levels.

She added that the way local government elections are conducted determines the level of autonomy councils enjoy.

“Electoral processes must enable genuine representation, allowing competent leadership to emerge free from undue external influence.

“Without credible and fair elections, local governance risks becoming an extension of centralised control instead of an independent structure responsive to the grassroots,” she said.

She also called for constitutional and legislative reforms that would safeguard local government independence while ensuring strong accountability frameworks.

Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, said financial autonomy for local governments had not translated into good governance due to political interference and weak institutions.

He said in many states, local governments functioned as extensions of state executive power, with local officials accountable to governors instead of the people.

“Appointments, elections, budget allocations and contract awards are often dictated by state actors.

“The practice of replacing elected councils with unelected caretaker committees, sometimes for years, is a breach of the constitution.

“These actions undermine democracy and hinder development at the grassroots,” he said.

Rafsanjani also called for scrutiny of joint state-local government accounts, describing them as channels for siphoning public funds.

“Without transparency, autonomy remains symbolic,” he said.

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, said state-level influence had led to structural and operational weaknesses in local governance.

He said although Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution recognises local governments as a democratic tier, challenges persist.

Aliyu noted that unqualified individuals were often appointed as chairmen and councillors, weakening service delivery.

“Inadequate electoral processes fail to produce credible leaders, and this opens the door for corruption,” he said.

Also speaking, a professor of economic history and lawyer, Prof. Adetunji Ogunyemi of Obafemi Awolowo University, said the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, had granted local governments fiscal autonomy.

“Local governments can no longer claim they are financially constrained by state governments.

“They now have full autonomy to pursue their budgets and operate independently,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade